Obituary – Peter Mathews

Peter Mathews 1959-2011

It is with great sadness that I advise of the passing, on 5 September 2011, of Mr Peter Mathews, a long time colleague, friend and supporter of Hepatitis NSW. I knew Peter well, and for very many years. Peter was both Vice-President and CEO of Haemophilia Foundation NSW and Vice-Chair of Haemophilia Foundation Australia, and had hep C on top of underlying haemophilia for very many years. When I last met with Peter he told me that the end of this stage of his life may not be far for him. But no matter what we prepare ourselves to expect, it’s still a shock and a huge loss when that end comes. I last visited Peter at his family home in Asquith, Sydney’s far northern suburbs some five or six months ago – I am so glad I did. I met Pete’s wife Virginia – a wonderful, supportive and wise woman, and their two children, Grace and Thomas. It was a rainy day. We sat in their beautiful glass covered sun room at the back of their home overlooking a large garden, drinking tea, chatting about work, life, renovations and the history of their home. Being so wet, the family dog was allowed in and stayed close to Pete’s chair, ever mindful of the treat. Peter was so ill and debilitated on that day. He had HCV-related hepatic encephalopathy – primarily as a result of his liver having failed. But Peter was a resilient fighter – he bounced back time and time again and was adamant that his poor health could be overcome. Up to the end Peter was a fighter, Virginia told me. He was exhorting her to travel to Wagga Wagga with him to indentify and contact Aboriginal people with haemophilia so that the detailed jigsaw puzzle that is haemophilia could be brought closer to completion. Peter was a delightful, warm and open man, accepting of all others, and never bitter about how he contracted hep C. He was fiercely independent and proud, and a good friend. He was a quiet activist and an advocate, both for people with haemophilia and for all people with hep C. Peter and I worked closely together during the 2004 Australian Senate Inquiry into Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply. He was a solid source of inspiration for all people with haemophilia, and for the workings of Haemophilia Foundation NSW and Haemophilia Foundation Australia, and for our work at Hepatitis NSW. Many people will be greatly saddened by Peter’s passing: the team at the Haemophilia Centre at RPAH NSW who cared for and supported him since he was a teenager; Dan Credazzi, President of Haemophilia Foundation NSW and his board and members; Sharon Caris, CEO of Haemophilia Foundation Australia and all the national Board and staff colleagues; people affected by haemophilia across NSW and Australia. Our love, condolences and thoughts are with Virginia and with Grace and Thomas, with Peter’s parents and with his other family and friends. Peter, may you rest in the peace you so richly deserve.

• Stuart Loveday, CEO, Hepatitis NSW